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Wilhelmina Minneapolis?
Hi, I am writing this because I just met up with the director of Wilhelmina Minneapolis and he wanted me to sign a contract. He was the director last year of a different agency that fell through, so I had known him previously from open calls at that agency. Now, he is the director at Wilhelmina and contacted me. He spent the first hour of our meeting showing me all the success his girls has gotten. (Target ads, Mag covers etc.) then he showed me the contract and said "Lets get you going." and he spent lots of time with me explaining nutrition and proper exercise to get my body in tip top shape for modeling again. On the contract, it says that the first photoshoot with them is 500 dollars. Then, an additional 300 dollars for my portfolio to be made and another 100 for my comp cards. There were other fees as well and it all added up to $2050 dollars. OMG! Who has that kind of money?! I'm really confused because he seems to have had successful girls there and he told me they are connected with L.A. and N.Y. Wilhelmina. So part of me thinks it is legit, but the money being paid upfront REALLY scares me. He says no matter what agency you are with, you are going to have to pay money at some point. What do you guys know about this? Thanks!! Nov 12 12 09:09 pm Link They put out some helpful books and the name is not unfamiliar. That being said, I've heard some bad things about them relating to scam sort of operations. The fact that he told you that you'll be putting money out with any agency is untrue. You may have to pay for supplies to promote yourself, but agencies generally aren't out to make money off of you other than what they get from the client. Google them and make a decision. They've been in the news on several occasions. Personally, I'm not one of their fans. The only reason I don't come right out and say they're awful is I have a hard time thinking all the bad rep is true if they've been in business so long. Nov 13 12 12:13 am Link I just "googled" them myself and the first page looks good for them. Farther in, you find "Wilhemina scam" and get all sorts of headers. Have a look yourself. I have just never come to a solid decision with them and have yet to work with anyone who's gone through them. You can also check them out through MM past forum posts - there's a lot in there. Nov 13 12 12:17 am Link You've been a member almost a year. Have you done many shoots? You should be able to use your own photos - If you've made any. Nov 13 12 11:22 am Link Yeah, he said I can't use the pictures I have because they are a year old and I need "updated" photos. Nov 13 12 05:16 pm Link He's trying to sell you a (overpriced) photoshoot. Nov 13 12 05:20 pm Link So I should probably stay away from it? Nov 13 12 05:28 pm Link Katrina Patridge wrote: The real Wilhelmina died years ago of cancer. The company has continued, using her name after her death. The New York agency is still well respected, but it is not regarded as well as when she was there. Nov 13 12 08:13 pm Link Well said ei, thank you! Great post. Nov 14 12 03:49 am Link IF they start off with blowing smoke with what they've done, it is all too much too fast. You can't believe that the big agencies start off telling you how much they did for Dean Johnson. They don't but those who want your money will. Forget it. Nov 14 12 04:05 am Link almost the same thing happened to me with a different agency. Its not exactly a scam, but it's close. Everyone they 'promote' pays them that original fee, but there are no promises that they will actually get you work, so you could be in the .05% of models that the agency actually gets jobs for, or you'll be a part of the latter that doesn't get anything out of it. Good luck Nov 14 12 11:26 am Link Legitimate agencies make their profits from the clients they have booked you to work with. Most companies that try to live from scamming new models usually don't last very long, and have nothing of value to offer you. Nov 14 12 11:38 am Link I don't know much about them so I can't personally say. I do know however that agencies should not be asking you for money upfront. I'm with a local agency, and the only time they would require payment FROM ME is if I wanted to have myself posted on their website. They will still submit me for gigs/jobs/etc I could qualify for, but the website would help more in the sense that clients will be looking at their website to find what look they want. They also refer me to a certain photographer, and HE requires payment, but...I don't know, I haven't worked with their recommended photographer. If I were you I wouldn't bother with that offer unless you have more money than you know what to do with. Even then, I don't know how much it would be worth it. Nov 14 12 12:41 pm Link ei Total Productions wrote: Thank you for this response post. It was also very informative for me. Very helpful. Nov 14 12 01:32 pm Link I'm sure there are plenty of Minneapolis photographers who are willing to help you update your portfolio... wink wink... Nov 14 12 02:55 pm Link I have had experiences with this company quite like yours. You shouldn't give them your money, if they like you then another agency will like you. Its so much money and zero guarantee, it is not worth it unless you have that money just sitting around (wouldn't that be nice!). Eric, the head of Wilhelmina MPLS, told me something along the lines of "well just because one McDonald's down the road is bad doesn't mean that this one is" (without saying anything specific about PA, LOL), and I replied "well that's the problem with licencing your name isnt it! Nov 15 12 04:14 pm Link Stephanie_Bee wrote: You should have said, "That may be true, but in the end, you're still both McDonalds." Nov 15 12 04:34 pm Link Also the way they are 'connected' with the NY and LA offices is "sometimes" the people from those offices will look at who the affiliate has listed. That means the person still has to be within NYC agency standards (tall and thin) to catch their attention. When you can just go to an open call for free  Nov 15 12 06:36 pm Link scam! you can send your own snapshots to the real model agency by email http://wilhelmina.com/become_model_submit_photos.cfm (Miami, New York) http://wilhelmina.com/contactus.cfm DISCLAIMER: www.wilhelmina.com is the only official website of Wilhelmina International, Inc., one of the preeminent model management firms in the world. Impostors have used websites and email addresses incorporating the Wilhelmina name. Such activities do not have the authorization of Wilhelmina International, Inc. and they are fraudulent. Anyone who has had dealings with or communications from these impostors should contact the Better Business Bureau, the FBI, or other law enforcement agencies. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions about using the Wilhelmina website. Nov 15 12 06:51 pm Link Chances are you will pay them $500, they will then book you with an MM photographer on a TF shoot. They will then want the photographer to provide hair, MU, stylist and wardrobe. Common practice for unscrupulous agencies/management reps. Nov 15 12 07:03 pm Link Nov 15 12 07:26 pm Link Katrina Patridge wrote: This alone should set alarm bells ringing. Did the models who had paid him get their money back? Obviously when his previous agency fell through, they would not get any further bookings from him. Do you trust him not to fail again? Nov 17 12 03:34 pm Link lolol i work at a hotel and the Wilhelmia in my city had an open casting today... i heard they take like over 50% of a model's profits or something? or was that just conjecture Nov 18 12 08:23 pm Link There are a some great, legitimate, already well-established commercial agencies (since you're under 5'7) here in Minneapolis (which, very likely, could be the agencies actually booking jobs for some of the WM models that may have non-exclusive contracts...the agency doesn't have to say whether or not they booked the jobs, as long as they're able to show their models in it). There are also a lot of great photographers around here that can help you rebuild your portfolio for a lot less than what he quoted you (check out WM's FB page to see what that investment gets you). It's so nice to see people actually doing their research! PS - weren't you in one of the Drive YouTube videos? Did they make/post that video without you even being signed to them?! Nov 28 12 01:18 am Link Yes I was in that youtube video! crazy you saw that!!! I was not signed with them. Dec 05 12 08:02 am Link R80 wrote: That's not entirely true... both the client and the model (fees) are part of the revenue stream of many, many companies... including some of the majors! Dec 05 12 09:51 am Link Dan OMell wrote: Dan! Dec 05 12 09:52 am Link Kelsey Roybal wrote: Hi Kelsey! Dec 05 12 10:01 am Link I am not a high fashion model Udor, I am a commercial model. Thanks. Dec 06 12 05:54 am Link Katrina Patridge wrote: I am aware of that... but the reputable, brick & mortar agencies usually allow only some deviation, not too much, so don't be surprised that for the big ones, you still maybe considered not tall enough. Dec 08 12 11:46 am Link As I've said about some other agencies here that had a system like you described. There are a lot of good/decent agencies in town that have been around for a while and that would have the same or better contacts around the country. I'd start with one of them first rather than some new franchise. Local agencies would know the local market, clients, and would be (I feel) able to help you more. Not saying the agency in question is bad, just that there are better options locally. R80 wrote: udor wrote: +1 Dec 08 12 03:45 pm Link Dean Soapbox Killer Photo wrote: I don't think $500 total is that out of line for a portfolio shoot here, granted it would include makeup and hair. Not saying that's what she would be getting, but on it's own that's not too big of a red flag. Dec 08 12 03:55 pm Link  Olivia from Wisconsin, don't ya know! (17, 5'10, Mega Model Management, Miami) I think this is how it's supposed to work. Wilhelmina has licensed some smaller agencies to use the Wilhelmina name as part of something called the Wilhelmina scouting network. As I recall, this goes back to the days of Dieter Esch (then owner of Wilhelmina) who originally hatched this scheme with a guy who promoted boy bands in Orlando, Florida. Dieter was/is an interesting guy (I knew him in New York), and rarely saw an "interesting" business idea he didn't like, particularly if there was some serious money attached. The idea has some merit, if you are a real candidate for fashion modeling (for women this means you are between 14 and 19, 5'9 to 6' tall, so thin your mother wants to take you to the doctor, have disproportionately long legs, and have a face that would launch a thousand ships), you could go to a satellite operation like say Wilhelmina-Boise (just to pick a name), get "developed", and then shipped off to New York. The same should work for a good looking boy 6'-6'2, with a 32" waist, a 15.5" neck, and abs so tight it's criminal (the measurements for men are much tighter than they are for women). And it's also possible that Wilhelmina-Boise might book an occasional commercial job in Boise (at least one of the three jobs available annually in Boise). And it's also possible that the major source of income for Wilhelmina-Boise will be the "Modeling" classes, portfolio shoots, prints and books, and comp cards that every "model" absolutely must have to be competitive in a market like Boise! (With only three jobs available annually, you bet it's competitive!) Sigh, in the greater scheme of things these modeling "agencies" are relatively harmless. Yeah, some people spend money to appear to be around the industry, and get to tell their friends they are models, and for the most part it is just a rip, but their are worse problems out there. Another fly in the ointment is that let's say it works, and you do get to the big show in New York........ with Wilhelmina....... Makes you wonder what third prize would be (two weeks in Lagos, Nigeria?) Ha! Seriously, I do like Dieter. I can't say we spent a lot of time together (we look somewhat alike), but it doesn't take long to realize the guy has an incredibly sharp business mind. So sharp that if you get too close you can wind up bleeding profusely! John PS: If there really is a Wilhelmina-Boise, I meant no disrespect. It's just a random name I chose because I have a personal fondness for Boise. If I was going to scout in the US, I'd probably spend a lot of time in the upper Mid-West, I mean, why go to Scandinavia when you've got all that same blood stock here (and the models wouldn't need visas!). (Note to self, check plane flights to Minneapolis.......) -- John Fisher 900 West Avenue, Suite 633 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 305 534-9322 http://www.johnfisher.com Dec 08 12 08:52 pm Link John Fisher wrote: THis .. made me smile! Dec 08 12 10:51 pm Link udor wrote: Minneapolis is a commercial market. If any agency here wants to be making money, they more often need commercial models, not fashion models. Out of the girls that I've worked with here, the ones who book the most jobs have been in the 5'4-5'7 range, with perfect skin and teeth. Dec 11 12 11:10 am Link sara kiesling wrote: ... and this is the key issue when finding an agency... Dec 11 12 04:21 pm Link sara kiesling wrote: Yes and no. That's how models make money, "agencies" can make money many different ways, and a lot of them don't involve getting work for their models. Dec 12 12 10:42 am Link Andrew Thomas Evans wrote: You're right, I should've said, "if any agency here wants to make money as a result of booking their models jobs (which is the purpose of a modeling agency)" Dec 12 12 02:03 pm Link I know I'm late to the game here, but I thought that my story might help you out. A while back, there was an "agency" here in Chicago that was looking for photographers. I was fresh out of school, and a little naive. So when I saw the ad, I checked in with them. They loved my portfolio and wanted to work with me. So they told me the deal. They would have "models" come in. They charged them a flat fee for a photo shoot with me. (I think it was $600, but this is from memory.) Each model would shoot with me, several looks, against a white paper sweep. Because they were planning on having so many "models", I needed to get a lot of looks of each model for their comp. All in the space of - get this - 15 minutes. Since they wanted me to speed through as many of these unsuspecting women as possible (and give them directions, no less!), they would give me $75 a piece. Now I've rarely felt extremely insulted in my life, but this was one time I felt it. Granted, I was desperate for work. And as the woman pointed out, by shooting another model every 15 minutes, I could make upwards of $2,400 in an 8 hour day. All I'd have to do is leave my integrity at the door. My best guess is that the models are not getting a $500 photo shoot, but $500 for 15-30 minutes in front of a photographer. I'm just saying.... Jan 10 14 12:48 am Link  John Abbott Photography wrote: Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Jan 10 14 09:41 pm Link |
